Based in Portsmouth, UK, Kellys Tattoo perform an exciting brand of high energy celtic folk punk that is impressing audiences wherever they play. They combine a mix of traditional folk songs and tunes with more modern material by artists as varied as The Clash, Ewan MacColl, REM and The Pogues.
Formed in the spring of 2002, the band have played over 400 gigs at venues ranging from festivals and pubs through to private parties and weddings. Their eclectic mix of dance material and music from around the world is presented in an entertaining style with the emphasis on audience participation and everybody having a good time!
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A short history of Kellys TattooThe origins of the band can be traced back to 1995 when Steve and Phil met and began visiting festivals and events and made the discovery that if you performed you could often gain free admission! A small set was rehearsed and they christened themselves Doghouse before making their debut in August 1996 at a Volkswagen mk2 campervan rally in the New Forest. Shortly afterwards they began their long association with the Swanage Folk Festival when they gatecrashed a music session and stayed for 7 hours! The next 3 years saw the duo appearing around the south of England at all sorts of venues. The repertoire had grown to 50 songs and tunes and Phil wanted to hear them performed by a bigger band. This germ of an idea would eventually become the Doghouse Big Band Folk Combo! Phil had worked in a previous incarnation with a drummer called Pete and he was recruited for the project on his return from a stay in Hong Kong. At about the same time he met Joe who volunteered to switch from guitar to bass to complete the line up that played for the first time in May 2002. They gigged regularly throughout 2002 and 2003. Dave,an old friend of Petes joined on fiddle in August 2002 and stayed for a year and Stacey was recruited in May 2003. Pete left the band in June to return to Hong Kong and was replaced by Rob on drums. The final change saw Allan joining in October 2003 and this line up remained settled for the best part of 3 years. To coincide with all the personnel changes and before recording their first cd, the new band decided to change their name to Kellys Tattoo. The name derives from the American adult entertainer Jill Kelly and one of her interestingly positioned tattoos! In April 2006 Rob left to concentrate on a career in rock music and Dom was duly recruited on the drums. He stayed for 2 years before Lenny who had stood in on numerous occasions joined permanently in May 2008. Finally at around this time Stacey parted company with the band. Currently the band appear as a 4 piece augmented by Steve when other commitments allow. For more information or to book the band please get in touch with Joe or Phil using the contact numbers at the foot of the page. |
